A 63-year-old man died on Monday evening after his tractor overturned while he was mowing grass near the Zwarte Nete stream in Retie, a municipality in Antwerp, Belgium.

Emergency services responded to the scene around 18:45, but attempts to revive the victim were unsuccessful.

The accident occurred approximately 100 meters from the man's residence, near Hodonk.

According to local authorities, the victim may have found himself trapped beneath the tractor, but details surrounding the specifics of the incident remain unclear.

The local mayor, Patrick Geuens, stated that a friend discovered the overturned tractor in the stream after noticing the absence of the operator.

Authorities have not yet determined the precise cause of the accident.

Initial reports suggest that the tractor, which lacked a cabin, could have overturned due to the operator driving too close to the bank's edge of the stream.

At the time of the accident, there were no witnesses present.

This incident highlights the inherent risks associated with tractor operation, particularly in uneven or hazardous terrain.

Safety experts emphasize the importance of equipping tractors with Roll-Over Protection Structures (ROPS) and seatbelts to significantly reduce the risk of fatal injuries in rollover situations.

Additional safety measures include operating the tractor from the seat, staying alert for obstructions, and avoiding uneven ground or steep slopes where tipping is more likely.

Tractors are primarily designed for single operators, and having additional passengers increases the risk of accidents and falls.

Authorities continue to investigate this tragic event as they consider the broader implications for farm safety in the region.